Robert Griffin III impresses Redskins at Pro Day: Video

View full sizeHeisman Trophy winner and former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III prepares to pass during Baylor pro day Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

WACO, Texas -- Deep in the heart of Cowboys country, a star was born for the archrival Redskins. Although Robert Griffin III won’t officially be drafted into the NFL as Washington’s franchise quarterback before April 26, what he did on March 21 unofficially cemented that team’s decision.

The Redskins, who hold the second overall pick next month after a blockbuster trade with St. Louis, had their two main men, coach Mike Shanahan and owner Daniel Snyder, at Griffin’s pro scouting day to check out the main attraction. Less than 24 hours after they had taken Griffin to a nice dinner, he treated them to a feast for the eyes.

There were many reasons for the Redskins to like what they see in "RG3" before he even took the field Wednesday, and his dazzling display was a reminder to the team’s coach, owner and fans of what kind of quarterback they’re about to get.

“Everybody will say ‘I’ll come in, I’ll work hard, I’ll be dedicated’, but I mean it when I say it," Griffin said. "I won’t just try to be flamboyant and try to act like ‘I’m the man, I’m the leader.’ You have to earn the respect of the players. I’ll do it from the inside-out.”

From the perspective of the other NFL personnel men on hand in Waco -- including Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and QB coach Clyde Christensen -- Griffin didn’t disappoint in any way. Keeping the atmosphere loose and fun by putting his passing drills to a bouncy soundtrack that included Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, he thrilled with both his arm and feet.

Scouts loved the tempo of his workout, as Griffin toggled between throwing traditional and out-of-pocket passes while on the move. He matched the pace by releasing the ball quickly, zipping it all over the field with great accuracy.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Griffin has become this year’s de facto No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Andrew Luck, whom the Indianapolis Colts are fully expected to take No. 1 and will work out at Stanford on Thursday. Not only does Griffin have much in common with the background (spread offense) and skill set (athletic passing) of last year’s first overall pick, Cam Newton, he has little something extra the reigning rookie of the year doesn’t.

“It’s a tremendous help,” ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said of how’s Griffin’s stock is affected by Newton’s success. “Old, prototypical NFL quarterbacks like me always looked at it like ‘it’s a new system, it’s going to take time, you have to learn the NFL game.’

“Cam Newton just threw that philosophy out the window coming in and playing so well,” Jaworski said. “He sets the table for a lot of young quarterbacks that come out of a non NFL-type system.”

There are many comparisons that can be made between fellow Heisman Trophy winners Newton and Griffin, but there’s another big difference in addition to Griffin’s size (6-2, 223 pounds at the Combine) in contrast to Newton’s (6-5, 248).

“They’re very similar, but the one thing that jumps out is the quick twitch of RG3,” Jaworski said. “Cam is a big, strong, lumbering movement guy, but when you watch RG3, he can dart from the pocket. He’s got good foot speed, good foot quickness and is mechanically very sound -- there’s not a flaw in his game.”

According to Baylor coach Art Briles, under whom Griffin III won the Heisman this past college football season, his now former pupil excels in the two basic, but most important tasks for an NFL quarterback -- “getting the ball to his playmakers and protecting the ball.”

The Redskins, in preparation for their likely selection of Griffin, added playmakers from other teams who also are known for their speed and quickness. In Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, Griffin would have players who can both stretch the field for his deep passes and take off after making shorter catches.

“If anyone looks at the profile of the NFL offense right now and where it’s going, you’re looking at these up-tempo high-speed type offenses,” Jaworski said. “You’re going to have to have a quarterback that can not only throw the football and react quickly, but run the football. It presents some real problems for the defense.”

Washington also needs Griffin’s smarts and elusiveness to better protect the ball. John Beck and Rex Grossman combined for a turnover mess last season with both shoddy decision-making (interceptions) and shakiness against ball-hungry pass rushers (fumbles).

Based on how well Griffin did those two things for Briles, Shanahan should be very confident he’s found someone to do the same for the Redskins. A day after John Elway, the quarterback with whom Shanahan won two Super Bowls in Denver, unveiled Peyton Manning as the Broncos’ new high-profile starter, it was the coming-out party for Griffin as the Redskins’ savior.

“Shanahan’s a great coach, a great mind, and it would be an honor to play for him,” said Griffin, who had admired him from afar while growing up a Broncos fan. “Since Elway, he hasn’t had ‘that guy’ he’s been associated with – hopefully I can be that guy.”

Griffin is already the Redskins’ multi-million dollar baby, and looks ready to grow into the man both they and Shanahan have been seeking for a long time.